An Auburn judge and lawyer both expressed concern that an updated ban to overnight parking on Genesee Street could lead to an increase of drinking and driving in the city.

Auburn City Court Judge Michael McKeon and defense attorney Thomas Turturo both said during Thursday's Auburn City Council meeting that banning overnight parking on an extended portion of Genesee Street would be detrimental to public safety.

The current law prohibits parking from 4 to 7 a.m. on Genesee Street from William and Dill streets to Loop Road. The proposed parking ban would extend the ban to more parts of Genesee Street, from James Street to Owasco and John streets, and change the hours to 3 to 6 a.m.

The idea to extend the ban came from a complaint from the owners of Hunter's Diner: William and Rachel Juhl. The Auburn Police Department received a complaint from the Juhls in regard to lack of parking for customers due to downtown residents leaving their cars parked on the street for extended periods of time. The ban is also supposed to make it easier for the department of public works to plow the street in the winter.